Donations cross Rs 50 lakh, IAC shuts counter

Help is pouring in from every quarter to make Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption a success.

Help is pouring in from every quarter to make Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption a success.

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And in the past four days alone, the stalls at Ramlila Ground have collected more than Rs 50 lakh in donations. The number could have gone up, but the organisers decided to shut the counter on Tuesday.

A total of six counters were set up in ground where protesters could deposit money. A receipt was also being issued for the donations. Details of money collected at Ramlila Maidan will be put up on IAC’s website by Wednesday.

“The counting is still on but on an average we have surpassed the R50 lakh mark. This is an indication of the success of the movement,” said Neeraj Kumar, member of India Against Corruption (IAC).

“We have been asked by IAC’s higher authorities to close the donation counter. We have collected enough money for the event and if required we can open the counter again. There are many protesters who still want to make donations but we are not accepting any,” said Sudhir Kumar, a volunteer who was in charge of one of the stalls.

From students, senior citizens, professionals and housewives—all have been donating for the cause. “I wanted to add to the movement in my own little way. But IAC has stopped taking donations. I’ve given them my phone number in case they start accepting donations again,” said Jasbir Singh of Karol Bagh.

Only citizens residing in the country or those who have an Indian passport can donate money.